1. Zachary's Chicago Pizza&#61654;140 Crescent Drive&#61654;: Founded in Oakland's Rockridge&#61654; neighborhood in 1983&#61654; by Zach Zachowski&#61654; and Barbara Gabel&#61654;, who have since retired, Zachary's is now an employee-owned company. Its four East Bay locations include this Pleasant Hill spot, which packs in locals craving delicious, deep-dish pizza. (925) 602-7000&#61654;. www.zacharys.com&#61654;.

Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession, Special To The Chronicle

1. Zachary's Chicago Pizza&#61654;140 Crescent...

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2. Atlas & Athena&#61654;45 Crescent Drive&#61654;: Get your wardrobe ready for summer with fun, trendy pieces from this newly-minted boutique. On a recent visit, standouts included an airy, sleeveless navy dress accented with a strip of silver sequins at the waist and a funky, palm tree-themed shirt. (925) 363-7855&#61654;. www.atlasshops.com&#61654;.

4. Sinful Bliss Cupcakes&#61654;35 Crescent Drive&#61654;: After a year of personal challenges that included battling breast cancer, Tammie Parnell&#61654; searched for a new venture that would combine her love of baking and bring joy to others. She opened Sinful Bliss Cupcakes, where this yummy treat comes in mini, full-size and fantastical special occasion versions. (925) 689-0200&#61654;. www.sinfulblisscupcakes.com&#61654;.

Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession, Special To The Chronicle

4. Sinful Bliss Cupcakes&#61654;35 Crescent Drive&#61654;:...

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5. Coco Swirl&#61654;35 Crescent Drive&#61654;: This self-serve yogurt shop features a bar with lime and tangerine-hued seats, lively pop music and non-fat yogurts sold by weight. Made with 100 percent skim milk and fresh fruit from local farmers, they range from tart blueberry yogurt to the Hawaiian Delight sorbet. (925) 685-2626&#61654;.

Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession, Special To The Chronicle

5. Coco Swirl&#61654;35 Crescent Drive&#61654;: This...

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6. Crescent Plaza&#61654;Between Crescent Plaza and Crescent Drive: The pair of rock fountains at either end, a central paved trail and randomly-placed boulders in this public plaza attract a parade of young children, with their parents in tow. Nearby, benches intermingled among large circular planters filled with geraniums offer a respite.

Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession, Special To The Chronicle

6. Crescent Plaza&#61654;Between Crescent Plaza and Crescent...

Image 7 of 13

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6. Crescent Plaza&#61654;Between Crescent Plaza and Crescent Drive: The pair of rock fountains at either end, a central paved trail and randomly-placed boulders in this public plaza attract a parade of young children, with their parents in tow. Nearby, benches intermingled among large circular planters filled with geraniums offer a respite.

Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession, Special To The Chronicle

6. Crescent Plaza&#61654;Between Crescent Plaza and Crescent...

Image 9 of 13

1. Zachary's Chicago Pizza&#61654;140 Crescent Drive&#61654;: Founded in Oakland's Rockridge&#61654; neighborhood in 1983&#61654; by Zach Zachowski&#61654; and Barbara Gabel&#61654;, who have since retired, Zachary's is now an employee-owned company. Its four East Bay locations include this Pleasant Hill spot, which packs in locals craving delicious, deep-dish pizza. (925) 602-7000&#61654;. www.zacharys.com&#61654;.

Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession, Special To The Chronicle

1. Zachary's Chicago Pizza&#61654;140 Crescent...

Image 10 of 13

2. Atlas & Athena&#61654;45 Crescent Drive&#61654;: Get your wardrobe ready for summer with fun, trendy pieces from this newly-minted boutique. On a recent visit, standouts included an airy, sleeveless navy dress accented with a strip of silver sequins at the waist and a funky, palm tree-themed shirt. (925) 363-7855&#61654;. www.atlasshops.com&#61654;.

Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession, Special To The Chronicle

2. Atlas & Athena&#61654;45 Crescent Drive&#61654;: Get...

Image 11 of 13

4. Sinful Bliss Cupcakes&#61654;35 Crescent Drive&#61654;: After a year of personal challenges that included battling breast cancer, Tammie Parnell&#61654; searched for a new venture that would combine her love of baking and bring joy to others. She opened Sinful Bliss Cupcakes, where this yummy treat comes in mini, full-size and fantastical special occasion versions. (925) 689-0200&#61654;. www.sinfulblisscupcakes.com&#61654;.

Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession, Special To The Chronicle

4. Sinful Bliss Cupcakes&#61654;35 Crescent Drive&#61654;:...

Image 12 of 13

5. Coco Swirl&#61654;35 Crescent Drive&#61654;: This self-serve yogurt shop features a bar with lime and tangerine-hued seats, lively pop music and non-fat yogurts sold by weight. Made with 100 percent skim milk and fresh fruit from local farmers, they range from tart blueberry yogurt to the Hawaiian Delight sorbet. (925) 685-2626&#61654;.

In the mid-19th century, fields of wheat moved in the breeze, vegetables grew on farms and orchards filled with fruit and nut trees dominated the landscape of this former agricultural community. Today, the downtown area bustles and pedestrians enjoy a saunter past single-story, stucco buildings containing shops, businesses and restaurants where diners relish the plentiful outdoor seating.

1. Zachary's Chicago Pizza

140 Crescent Drive: Founded in Oakland's Rockridge neighborhood in 1983 by Zach Zachowski and Barbara Gabel, who have since retired, Zachary's is now an employee-owned company. Its four East Bay locations include this Pleasant Hill spot, which packs in locals craving delicious, deep-dish pizza. (925) 602-7000. www.zacharys.com.

2. Atlas & Athena

45 Crescent Drive: Get your wardrobe ready for summer with fun, trendy pieces from this newly minted boutique. On a recent visit, standouts included an airy, sleeveless navy dress accented with a strip of silver sequins at the waist and a funky, palm tree-themed shirt. (925) 363-7855. www.atlasshops.com.

4. Sinful Bliss Cupcakes

35 Crescent Drive: After a year of personal challenges, Tammie Parnell searched for a new venture that would combine her love of baking and bring joy to others. She opened Sinful Bliss Cupcakes, where this yummy treat comes in mini, full-size and fantastical special occasion versions. (925) 689-0200. www.sinfulblisscupcakes.com.

5. Coco Swirl

35 Crescent Drive: This self-serve yogurt shop features a bar with lime and tangerine-hued seats, pop music and nonfat yogurts sold by weight. Made with 100 percent skim milk and fresh fruit from local farmers, they range from tart blueberry yogurt to the Hawaiian Delight sorbet. (925) 685-2626.

6. Crescent Plaza

Between Crescent Plaza and Crescent Drive: The pair of rock fountains at either end, a central paved trail and randomly placed boulders in this plaza attract a parade of children, with their parents in tow. Nearby, benches intermingled among large circular planters filled with geraniums offer a respite.

PARKING

One hour, free street parking on Crescent Drive. Free parking in public garage on Crescent Drive at Boyd Road and Contra Costa Boulevard.

GETTING THERE

Public transit: Take BART to the Pleasant Hill Station. On weekends, board the County Connection bus route 9 or 18 to downtown Pleasant Hill. On weekends, board the County Connection bus route 316 to downtown Pleasant Hill. www.bart.gov, www.countyconnection.com.

By car from S.F.: From the Bay Bridge, take Interstate 580 east toward Hayward/Stockton and merge onto Highway 24 east toward Walnut Creek. Then merge onto Interstate 680 north toward Sacramento and take the Contra Costa Boulevard exit. From Contra Costa Boulevard, turn left on Crescent Drive.